EarthSave

SQA Online Resource Center

Award Recipient Post-Visit Report

Organization name: EarthSave

Street Address: 706 Frederick Street

City: Santa Cruz Zip code: 95062 Central phone: 423-4069

Name of person submitting the application: Patricia Carney

Title: Executive Director Phone: 423-4069 Fax: 458-0255

Site-visit coordinator: Pat Carney or Rebecca Moon

Product or service: Environmental & Health Educational Organization

Number of employees: 8

Date and time of Site Visit: Wed., 10/26/94; 9:00-11:00 am

Category: Non-profit organization Criteria Areas: All four Final Score: TBD

The following report completes the site visit and evaluation process for the 1994 Sustainable Business Quality Awards. We would like your permission to use the commentary on the first page in SBQA advertising, public relations, and press annoucements. The second page contains feedback for your eyes only. We accept corrections and clarification to the information provided on either page in writing or by telephone no later than 5:00 pm, 1/10/95. After that date, the information contained herein will be considered complete and correct and available for distribution.

Congratulations and thank you for participating in the 1994 SBQA process.

Commentary

I Leadership

The vision of EarthSave is to promote a healthier, plant-based diet and thus minimize resource consumption to help preserve and restore the life-sustaining capacity of the planet. EarthSave’s mission is to educate people about how their choices affect the environment, their health, and all life on Earth. Employee and volunteer needs are integrated with EarthSave's sense of community and social responsibility. The Healthy School Lunch Program is an example of how these values are being deployed within the local community. This innovative program introduces a plant-based meal option for use in public schools, educating students, teachers and parents about the health, environmental and economic benefits of a low-fat, plant-based diet. The Healthy School Lunch Action Guide provides volunteers with a detailed, step-by-step approach to introducing new menu options into schools and to motivate the students to choose healthy foods.

II Human and Community Relations

As a nationwide organzation, Local EarthSave Groups provide an opportunity for community-based action. This non-profit organization leverages resources through professional support at national level combined with volunteers at community level. A strategic plan focuses the attention of staff in building a motivated volunteer workforce.

III Continuous Improvement and Economic Development

EarthSave’s goal is to become, in every aspect of their operations, a model organization that (1) maintains a healthy work environment that empowers employees and volunteers, (2) provide efficient and professional service to supporters, and (3) observe conservative financial management. Deployment of this planning process has increased staff input and involvement, as well as providing a source of constant renewal to provide quality service to members and the public.

Income is derived from "member" donations. Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!, see below) has received funding through grants. The Healthy School Lunch Program will be funded through grants and donations.

IV Environmental Stewardship

EarthSave’s entire purpose is focused on acting as stewards to the Earth.

One approach includes working with youth to transform their sense of themselves from victim to response-able. For four years, YES! has acted as EarthSave’s public education arm to youth. YES!'s Energy Program is helping schools and businesses to retrofit their lighting to use more energy-efficient technology, saving money and reducing harmful pollutants from entering the atmosphere. This also inspires young people to create positive change in their environment.